CAA driver hurt after car clips truck on Winnipeg street

A CAA Manitoba driver had a close call Monday on a Winnipeg street when a speeding vehicle clipped his truck, shattering the side mirror.

Jeff Lauferhadjust dropped off a CAA member at a home on Sherbrook Street, near Cumberland Avenue,and had pulled close to the curb, according to a statement from CAA.

A large vehicle sped by, hitting the driver'ssidemirror and injuring Laufer'shand, which was resting on the door frame with the window unrolled.

At the time, all emergency beacons on the truck were lit and flashing.

"I don't understand how he did not see my lights 'cause they were on, but just he just continued to go and he clipped it," said Laufer, adding it's not the first close call this winter.

Acouple of weeks ago he was pulling out a car on Pembina Highway when another car, going too fast, crashed nearby.

Despite the injury, Lauferwasback on the roads Tuesday, his hand bandaged up.

Thankfully our driver wasnt badly hurt and is trained to be cautious while working on the side of the road, but not everyone is as aware, said CAAspokesperson Liz Peters, noting kids playing on snow banks and families unloading groceries would not be as aware in a similar situation.

The incident has prompted CAA Manitoba to remind all drivers to slow down and move over when passing tow trucks and other emergency vehicles working on the side of the road.

Just over one year ago, CAA issued a similar call out to the public after a driver was standing outside his truck when a car tried to pass on a street narrowed by snow banks, and clipped the side-view mirror of the CAA truck.

"What I just want to get across is just to be careful when the beacons are on on any kind of emergency vehicle out there. Just slow down, go to the left. It's the law," said Peters.

"Let's just follow the law and everybody get home safely."